Method of treating and probing a via

ABSTRACT

A method of treating a via connected with a substrate and a method of probing the via are disclosed. A pattern of a lead-free solder paste is applied around a hole of the via without completely covering a pad of the via. The paste is reflowed to form a pattern of a lead-free solder on a pad that covers only a portion of a surface area of the pad and is positioned around the hole. The solder may be substantially symmetrically positioned around the hole. A flux generated during reflow is insufficient to plug the hole. The lead-free solder can be probed by a blade probe including colinear first and second edges and having a preferred orientation relative to the pattern of the lead-free solder.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a method of treating a via and a method of probing a via. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of treating a via with a lead-free solder paste that covers only a portion of a surface area of a pad of the via and a method of probing a lead-free solder on the pad using a blade probe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal that is well known for its toxicity to humans. Lead poisoning in humans can occur by skin contact, breathing, eating, or drinking materials that contain lead. Lead containing products such as paint, plumbing, and gasoline have been banned in many countries including the U.S. and countries in the European Union (EU). Children are particularly susceptible to lead poisoning and lead poisoning can cause developmental problems in children, such as learning disabilities, neurological damage, anemia, stunted growth, behavioral disorders, impaired speech development, loss of hearing, renal damage, and hyperactivity, just to name a few. Once lead is introduced into a bio-system, it is almost impossible to get rid of because lead does not dissolve in water, is not biodegradable, cannot be burned off, and does not dissipate or decay in concentration over time.

A primary source of lead poisoning in humans is through groundwater contamination from products or materials that contain lead. For example, landfills often contain electronic products that have been dumped in the landfill. Those electronic products include circuit boards on which components have been soldered using a lead-based solder. The elements tin (Sn) and lead (Pb) are key components in the lead-based solder (e.g. a lead-tin solder) and the lead-tin solder itself is a fundamental material for electrically connecting and joining a component to a circuit board. Eventually, rain and other environmental factors cause the lead (Pb) in the lead-tin solder to leach out into the groundwater.

Although lead-tin solder accounts for a small percentage (<1%) of worldwide lead consumption, the proliferation of electronic products, especially consumer electronics products, that are purchased and then later discarded in landfills, has prompted many countries to enact legislation that bans the use of lead-tin solder. For example, Japan and the EU have pending lead-free legislation that will restrict the use of lead-based solder. The EU Restrictions on Hazardous Substances (ROHS) will take effect on Jul. 1, 2006. These restrictions on lead-based solder will not only impact electronics manufactures in the enacting nations, but also electronics manufactures who trade goods with those nations. In either case, manufactures in the electronics industry are faced with developing an economically viable and environmentally friendly substitute for lead-based solder that complies with the lead-free restrictions.

Currently, a lead-free solder is being considered as a replacement for lead-tin solder. Examples of a composition of the lead-free solder include: (1) 99.3% tin (Sn) and 0.7% copper (Cu); (2) 95.5% tin (Sn), 4.0% silver (Ag), and 0.5% copper (Cu); and (3) 92.3% tin (Sn), 3.4% silver (Ag), 1.0% copper (Cu), and 3.3% bismuth (Bi). However, there are some implementation problems that arise from the use of lead-free solder that must be overcome so that manufacturing of electronics using lead-free solder is economically viable. One such problem is an increased contact failure rate during in-circuit-test (ICT) of vias on PC boards. Typically, a PC board will include several test vias that include a lead-free solder on a pad of the via. The vias are probed by a test fixture after a reflow soldering of components to the PC board. The probing is necessary to ensure that the PC board and the components connected with it are functioning properly. A lead-free solder is easier to probe than a bare finished metal with the exception that vias pose a problem because a flux residue coats the via after reflow and the residue serves as an insulating barrier that prevents electrical contact between a probe and the lead-free solder on a pad of the via.

Turning to FIG. 1 a, a prior electronic circuit 300 includes a PC board 301 including components (311, 321) that are soldered 315, using a lead-free solder, to pads 313 that are positioned on a surface 301 t of the board 301. The dashed outline depicts a portion under the components (311, 321) where the lead-free solder is reflowed to connect the components (311, 321) to their respective pads 313. The components (311, 321) can be surface mount devices, such as resistors, capacitors, and integrated circuits, for example. Electrically conductive traces 312 connect the components (311, 321) to other elements (not shown) that form the electronic circuit 300. A via 303 is one such element that can be connected with the components (311, 321) by the traces 312. As will be described below, a lead-free solder paste is applied to the vias 303 and the pads 313. The lead-free solder paste includes a lead-free solder component and a flux component. After a reflow soldering process, a pad 302 of the via 303 is covered by a lead-free solder 335 s and a hole 305 of the via 303 is filled with the solder 335 s. The solder 335 s includes a divot that is capped by a flux 335 f that is recessed in the divot. The solder 335 s also serves to solder the components (311, 321) to their respective pads 313 as denoted by 315.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 b through 1 e, where the via 303 includes a diameter D_(V) and a stencil 330 that is used as a mask to apply the aforementioned lead-free solder paste to the via 303 includes an aperture 331 that has a diameter D_(S). Typically, as was done when lead-based solder was used to solder components to a PC board, a one-to-one pasting (1:1) of a solder paste to the via was accomplished by using a stencil with an aperture that had a diameter that was greater than or equal to the diameter of the via. Accordingly, in FIG. 1 c, the diameter D_(S) of the prior stencil 330 would be greater than or equal to the diameter D_(V) of the via 303 (i.e. D_(S)≧D_(V)) of the via 303 in FIG. 1 b. When D_(S)>D_(V), then the pasting of the pad 302 of the via 303 is referred to as an over pasting or over printing of the via.

Consequently, the diameter D_(S) of the aperture 331 completely covers the pad 302 of the via 303 as depicted in FIG. 1 f, where the stencil 330 is positioned in contact with the surface 301 t of the board 301 and a lead-free solder paste 335 is applied to the stencil 330 and flows through the aperture 331 and covers the pad 302 of the via 303. Subsequently, heat h is applied to the lead-free solder paste 335 during a reflowing process. The reflowing causes a solder component 335 s of the paste 335 to wet and adhere to the pad 302. Additionally, a substantial portion of the solder 335 s flows into the hole 305 of the via and a flux component 335 f of the paste 335 also flows into the hole 305. As a result, the solder 335 s fills up a substantial portion of the hole 305 and the flux 335 f pools on top of the solder 335 s and plugs the hole 305. The plugging of the hole 305 and the pooling of the flux 335 f are due to a higher solids content of the flux 335 f used in the lead-free solder paste 335 and to the aforementioned 1:1 pasting of the lead-free solder paste 335 to the via 303.

Because of the 1:1 pasting, more solder paste 335 than is needed is applied to the pad 302. During the reflowing, that excess solder 335 s in the paste 335 flows into the hole 305. As a result, the flux 335 f pools on top of the excess solder 335 s in the hole 305 as depicted in FIGS. 1 i and 1 j. The flux 335 f can be substantially flush with a top surface of the pad 302 or the flux 335 f can form a dome 335 fc that can be convex in shape (e.g. positioned above the top surface of the pad 302) or concave in shape (e.g. positioned below the top surface of the pad 302). In either case, a tip 350 t of a probe 350 that is urged U into contact with the via 303 is not able to make an electrical connection C with the solder 335 s on the pad 302 because the tip 350 t cannot penetrate far enough into the hole 305 due to the blockage caused by the flux 335 f. Consequently, a contact surface 350 c of the probe cannot connect with the solder 335 s on the pad 302 and an electrical continuity cannot be reliably established between the probe 350 and the via 303. Moreover, the vias 303 are typically coated with an organic solderability preservative (OSP) prior to the applying of the solder paste 335. The OSP is a low cost coating that if left over pasted, prevents repeatable contact with the via 303.

Returning to FIG. 1 a, after the reflowing of the solder paste 335, it is desirable to probe the board 301 to perform an in-circuit-test (ICT) to verify proper functioning of the board 301. However, the flux 335 f pooling in the hole 305 prevents a reliable ICT using the probe 350 as was depicted in FIG. 1 j. Essentially, the probe 350 fails to make a good electrical connection in high percentages with the solder 335 s on the pad 302. The inability to repeatedly perform a reliable ICT on the board 301 results in an increased manufacturing cost for re-testing of lead-free solder treated boards, waste cost associated with boards that are mistakenly scrapped, increase liability exposure during a warranty period for products that contain bad boards, a negative impact on brand loyalty caused by defective products, and costs associated with troubleshooting the boards and the ICT functional testers used to probe the boards.

Potential solutions to the above problems include using a higher cost board finish and using test pads instead of test vias. The use of a higher cost finish (e.g. electrolytic Ni/Au) is not acceptable for volume manufacturing, particularly for low margin consumer electronics products. Other notable finishes such as immersion tin and immersion silver may lead to whisker growth and failure mechanisms associated with whisker growth. The use of test pads versus test vias has the disadvantage of using up precious real estate on the PC board and adding capacitance to the signal net that can compromise signal speed, performance, and reliability. An additional solution is to chemically wash the boards; however, washing increase manufacturing costs and the chemicals used create environmental problems of their own.

Consequently, there is a need for a method of treating a via with a lead-free solder that is economically viable and that prevents solder and flux from plugging up a hole of the via. Moreover, there exists a need for a method of treating a via with a lead-free solder that eliminates an over pasting of the via and reduces an amount of a lead-free solder paste that is applied to a pad of the via. Finally, there is also a need for a method of probing a via that has been treated with lead-free solder that provides reliable and repeatable probing of the via during in-circuit-test.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method of treating a via connected with a substrate includes aligning a stencil with the substrate. The stencil includes a pattern with a plurality of apertures and a shield. The stencil is connected with the substrate so that the shield covers a hole and a first portion of a pad of the via and the apertures are positioned over a second portion of the pad. A lead-free solder paste is applied to the stencil to print the lead-free solder paste only on the second portion of the pad. The shield prevents the lead-free solder paste from entering the hole of the via. The stencil is removed from the substrate and the lead-free solder paste is reflowed so that a flux drains through the hole and a lead-free solder wets only a portion of a surface area of the pad. The aperture in the stencil reduces the amount of the lead-free solder paste applied to the pad so that upon reflowing, substantially all of the lead-free solder in the paste wets the pad and the flux in the paste drains through the hole without plugging up the hole.

A method of probing a via that is connected with a substrate and including a lead-free solder that is connected with a portion of a pad of the via and is positioned around of a hole of the via includes aligning a test fixture with the substrate. The test fixture includes a blade probe connected with the test fixture in a preferred orientation and the blade probe includes a shaft, a tip, and first and second edges that are colinear with each other. The preferred orientation of the blade probe and the aligning of the test fixture with the substrate are operative to position a portion of the first and second edges to make a contact with a portion of the lead-free solder on the pad when the blade probe is urged into contact with the lead-free solder. The via is probed by urging the blade probe into contact with the lead-free solder on the pad. The blade probe allows for reliable and repeatable probing of the via during an in-circuit-test.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is a top-plan view depicting a prior electrical circuit with a via plugged by a flux and a lead-free solder from prior a lead-free solder process.

FIGS. 1 b and 1 c are top plan views depicting a prior via and a prior stencil respectively.

FIG. 1 d and FIG. 1 e are cross-sectional views along dashed lines I-I and II-II of FIG. 1 b and FIG. 1 c respectively.

FIG. 1 f is a cross-sectional view depicting a prior lead-free solder pasting process.

FIG. 1 g is a cross-sectional view depicting a prior lead-free solder paste applied to a pad and covering a hole of a via during a reflowing process.

FIG. 1 h is a cross-sectional view of the via of FIG. 1 g after the reflowing process and depicts a hole plugged by lead-free solder and pooled flux.

FIG. 1 i is a top plan view of the via depicted in FIG. 1 h.

FIG. 1 j is a cross-sectional view depicting a prior probe that is probing a via that includes a hole plugged by lead-free solder and pooled flux.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram depicting a method of treating and optionally probing a via connected with a substrate.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram depicting a method of probing a via.

FIG. 4 a is a top plan view depicting a via connected with a substrate.

FIG. 4 b is a cross-sectional view along a dashed line I-I of FIG. 4 a.

FIGS. 4 c and 4 d are a top plan view and a cross-sectional view respectively of a via.

FIG. 5 a is a top plan view depicting a stencil including a pattern that includes a plurality of apertures and a shield.

FIG. 5 b is a cross-sectional view along a dashed line II-II of FIG. 5 a.

FIG. 5 c is a top plan view depicting a hole of a via and a first portion of a pad of the via covered by a shield of a pattern and a second portion of a pad covered by an aperture of the pattern.

FIG. 5 d is a top plan view depicting dimensional relationships between a pattern and a via.

FIG. 6 a is a cross-sectional view depicting a stencil aligned with a substrate.

FIG. 6 b is a cross-sectional view depicting an applying of a lead-free solder paste to a stencil that is in contact with a substrate.

FIG. 7 a is a top plan view depicting a lead-free solder paste printed on a second portion of a pad.

FIG. 7 b is a cross-sectional view along a dashed line III-III of FIG. 7 a and depicts a reflowing of a lead-free solder paste printed on a second portion of a pad.

FIG. 7 c is a cross-sectional view depicting a lead-free solder connected with a second portion of a pad after a reflowing process.

FIG. 7 d is a top plan view depicting a lead-free solder connected with a second portion of a pad after a reflowing process.

FIG. 8 a depicts an end angle profile view of a blade probe.

FIG. 8 b is a face view of FIG. 8 a and depicts first and second edges of the blade probe.

FIG. 8 c is a cross-sectional view along a dashed line V-V of FIG. 8 b.

FIG. 9 a is a top plan view depicting a preferred orientation of a blade probe relative to a lead-free solder on a pad of a via.

FIG. 9 b is a top plan view depicting an alternative orientation of a blade probe relative to a lead-free solder on a pad of a via.

FIG. 9 c is a cross-sectional view depicting a contact of a first edge and a second edge of a blade probe with a lead-free solder on a pad of a via.

FIG. 10 a depicts a shaft of a blade probe that includes a plunger body and a plunger tail.

FIG. 10 b is a cross-sectional view depicting a barrel and the blade probe of FIG. 10 a positioned in the barrel.

FIG. 10 c is a cross-sectional view depicting the barrel of FIG. 10 b positioned in a receptacle.

FIGS. 10 d through 10 f depict one example of a structure for connecting a blade probe with a barrel so that a probe axis is disposed in a preferred orientation.

FIG. 10 g depicts one example of a structure for connecting a barrel with a receptacle with a probe axis disposed in a preferred orientation.

FIG. 11 a is a top plan view depicting an example of a blade probe mounted to a test fixture in a preferred orientation.

FIG. 11 b is a cross-sectional view depicting a test fixture aligned with a substrate and a blade probe probing a via with a lead-free solder on a pad of the via.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a stencil and depicts examples of patterns for pasting a lead-free solder paste on a second portion of a pad of a via.

FIGS. 13 a through 13 d are top plan views depicting examples of a rectangular shape of a lead-free solder paste applied to a second portion of a pad of a via.

FIG. 14 a through 14 d are top plan views depicting examples of an arcuate shape of a lead-free solder paste applied to a second portion of a pad of a via.

FIG. 15 a through 15 b are top plan views depicting examples of an angular shape of a lead-free solder paste applied to a second portion of a pad of a via.

FIG. 15 c is a top plan view depicting a stencil with a pattern for forming the angular shape of the lead-free solder paste depicted in FIG. 15 b.

FIG. 16 a through 16 b are top plan views depicting examples of a complex shape of a lead-free solder paste applied to a second portion of a pad of a via.

FIG. 16 c is a top plan view depicting a stencil with a pattern for forming the complex shape of the lead-free solder paste depicted in FIG. 16 b.

FIG. 17 a is a top plan view depicting a stencil including three apertures and a shield.

FIG. 17 b is a top plan view depicting a second portion of a pad of a via printed with a lead-free solder paste using the stencil of FIG. 17 a.

FIG. 17 c is a top plan view depicting a lead-free solder disposed on three portions of a pad of a via.

FIG. 17 d is a top plan view depicting a chisel type probe probing a lead-free solder on a pad.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description and in the several figures of the drawings, like elements are identified with like reference numerals.

As shown in the drawings for purpose of illustration, the present invention is embodied in a method of treating a via connected with a substrate. The method includes aligning a stencil with the substrate. The stencil includes a pattern with a plurality of apertures and a shield. The stencil is connected with the substrate so that the shield covers a hole of the via and a first portion of a pad of the via and the apertures are positioned over a second portion of the pad. A lead-free solder paste is applied to the stencil to print the lead-free solder paste only on the second portion of the pad. The shield prevents the lead-free solder paste from entering the hole of the via. The stencil is removed from the substrate and the lead-free solder paste is reflowed so that a flux drains through the hole and a lead-free solder wets only a portion of a surface area of the pad.

The present invention also embodies a method of probing a via that is connected with a substrate and including a lead-free solder that is connected with a portion of a pad of the via and is positioned around a hole of the via. The method includes aligning a test fixture with the substrate. The test fixture includes a blade probe connected with the test fixture in a preferred orientation and the blade probe includes a shaft, a tip, a first edge, and a second edge. The first and second edges are colinear with each other. The preferred orientation of the blade probe and the aligning of the test fixture with the substrate are operative to position a portion of the first and second edges to make a contact with a portion of the lead-free solder on the pad when the blade probe is urged into contact with the lead-free solder. The via is probed by urging the blade probe into contact with the lead-free solder on the pad.

Referring to FIG. 2 and to FIGS. 4 a through 4 d, a method 100 of treating a via 10 connected with a substrate 21 includes at a stage 103, aligning a stencil with the substrate. In FIG. 4 a, the via 10 is connected with the substrate 21. Materials for the substrate 21 include but are not limited to a material used for printed circuit boards (PCB) and printed circuit assemblies (PCA). Additionally, the substrate 21 can include one or more fiducial marks 22 that may be used to facilitate aligning a stencil with the substrate as will be described below. The via 10 can be a through hole via (as depicted) in which a hole 13 of the via extends between a top surface 21 t and a bottom surface 21 b of the substrate 21 or the via 10 can be a blind via (not shown) in which the pad 12 is positioned only on one of the surfaces (21 t, 21 b) and the hole 13 extends partially into the via 10 but does not extend between the surfaces (21 t, 21 b).

In FIG. 4 b, the via 10 includes the hole 13, an interior surface 13 s of the hole 13, a rim of the hole 13 r, at least one pad 12, and an exterior surface 15. The surfaces (13 s, 15) may be connected with one or more electrically conductive traces (not shown) that are positioned along different planes in the substrate 21. The pad 12 may also be connected with one or more electrically conductive traces (not shown). The via 10 can be formed in the substrate 21 using processes that are well understood in the electronics art. Moreover, passive or active electrical components (not shown) may be connected with the via 10 by the aforementioned electrically conductive traces. The via 10 may be a test via that is probed to check a functionality of a circuit connected with the substrate 21.

In FIGS. 4 c and 4 d, the via 10 can include a pad width W_(P) as measured from the rim 13 r to an outer edge 12 e of the pad 12, a via diameter d_(V), and a hole diameter d_(H). Typically the hole diameter d_(H) is referred to as a finished hole size (FHS). For a through hole via, a height h_(V) of the via 10 will typically be greater than a thickness t of the substrate 21. Actual dimensions for the via 10 will be application dependent; however, the following are typical ranges for via and hole diameters: the via diameter d_(V) can be in a range from about 20.0 mil to about 60.0 mil; and the hole diameter d_(H) can be in a range from about 8.0 mil to about 40.0 mil.

Turning now to FIGS. 5 a and 5 b, a stencil 50 includes a pattern 30 with a plurality of apertures 31 and a shield 33. The apertures 31 extend between a top surface 51 t and a bottom surface 51 b of the stencil 50. Although the shield 33 is depicted in hashed outline, the shield 33 can be made from the same material as the stencil 50 and the apertures 31 can be formed using a process such as stamping, cutting, laser cutting, punching, or perforating, for example. An edge 31 e of the apertures 31 that are adjacent to the shield 33 may be aligned with the rim 13 r in the hole 13 as will be described below. The stencil 50 can be made from the same materials that are customarily used for forming stencils for the printing of a lead-free solder paste on the vias and pads of a PCB. The stencil 50 may also include one or more fiducial marks 32 that may be used to facilitate aligning the stencil 50 with the substrate 21 as will be described below.

The shapes of the apertures 31 and the shield 33 will be application specific and are not limited to the rectangular shapes depicted herein. Factors that can determine the shape of the apertures 31 and the shield 33 include but are not limited to a shape of the pad 12, the via diameter d_(V), the hole diameter d_(H), a surface finish on the pad 12, and a composition of the lead-free solder paste to be printed on the pad 12. A shape of the apertures 31 can include but is not limited to a rectangular shape, an arcuate shape, an angular shape, and a complex shape. Similarly, a shape of the shield 33 can include but is not limited to a rectangular shape, an arcuate shape, an angular shape, and a complex shape. For the discussion that follows, the apertures 31 and the shield 33 will have a rectangular shape.

In FIGS. 5 b through 5 d, the shield 33 can have a width W_(S) that is selected so that when the stencil 50 and the substrate 21 are aligned with each other and are positioned in contact with each other, then the shield 33 will be positioned over the hole 13 and the width W_(S) of the shield 33 will cover the hole 13 and a first portion 1 p of the pad 12 as depicted in a dashed outline of the shield 33 in FIG. 5 c. Similarly, the apertures 31 can have a width W_(A) that is selected so that the apertures 31 are positioned over a second portion 2 p of the pad 12 when the substrate 21 and the stencil 50 are aligned and in contact with each other as depicted by the dashed outline of the apertures 31 in FIG. 5 c. In FIGS. 5 c and 5 d, the dashed outlines of the shield 33 and the apertures 31 depict a top view of a relative position of the pattern 30 and the via 10 when the stencil 50 and the substrate 21 are properly aligned with each other and are in contact with each other.

In FIG. 5 d, the width W_(A) of the apertures 31 can be selected so that the width W_(A) is greater than, less than, or equal to the width W_(P) of the pad 12. Similarly, a length H_(A) of the apertures 31 can be selected so that the length H_(A) it is greater than, less than, or equal to the diameter d_(V) of the via 10. As will be described in greater detail below, the width W_(A) and the length H_(A) of the apertures 31 can be selected to effectuate an excess pasting, a nominal pasting, or under pasting of a lead-free solder paste on the second portion 2 p of the pad 12.

The width W_(S) of the shield 33 can be selected so that the width W_(S) it is greater than or equal to the diameter d_(V) of the hole 13. The width W_(S) of the shield 33 should be selected to ensure that a lead-free solder paste that is applied to the stencil 50 does not enter into the hole 13. Preferably, the width W_(S) is at least slightly greater than the diameter d_(V) as an extra measure of precaution to prevent the lead-free solder paste from entering the hole 13 and to account for any alignment error between the stencil 50 and the substrate 21.

Now, referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 6 a, at the stage 103, the stencil 50 is aligned A with the substrate 21 so that the apertures 31 and the shield 33 are positioned p in alignment with their respective pads 12 and holes 13. Moreover, the aligning at the stage 103 may also be necessary to align a the edges 31 e of the apertures 31 with the rim 13 r of the hole 13. The fiducial marks (22, 32) can be used to effectuate the aligning using optical, machine vision, or other means that are well understood in the electronics art to position the stencil 50 and the substrate 21 in alignment with each other. After the aligning, the stencil 50 and the substrate 21 can be urged U into contact with each other and are held in alignment to prevent a relative motion between the stencil 50 and the substrate 21.

In FIG. 6 b, at a stage 105, the stencil 50 is connected with the substrate 21 so that the shield 33 covers the hole 13 and the first portion 1 p of the pad 12 and the apertures 31 are positioned over the second portion 2 p of the pad 12. Preferably, the shield 33 completely covers the hole 13. Moreover, it is also preferable that the edges 31 e of the apertures 31 are aligned with the rim 13 r of the hole 13. The stencil 50 and the substrate 21 are held in alignment A with each other at the stage 105 to prevent misalignment of the apertures 31 and the shield 33 with the pad 12 and the hole 13 during a subsequent printing process.

At a stage 107, a lead-free solder paste 60 (paste 60 hereinafter) is applied to the stencil 50 to print the paste 60 on the second portion 2 p of the pad 12 only. That is, the shield 33 prevents (i.e. blocks) the paste 60 from entering the hole 13 or from being printed on the first portion 1 p of the pad 12 as depicted by the dashed arrow 60 b and the paste 60 to flows through the apertures 31 and is printed on the second portion 2 p of the pads 12 as depicted by the dashed arrows 60 f. If the via 10 is a through hole via, then there may be pads 12 on both sides (21 t, 21 b) of the substrate 21 as depicted in FIG. 4 b. However, the paste 60 need only be applied to the pad 12 on a side of the via 10 that the via 10 will be probed from (see 21 t in FIG. 7 b). The paste 60 can be printed on the pads 12 using a blade 69 that moves M across the stencil 50 to squeeze the paste 60 through the apertures 31 and onto the pads 12. A volume of the paste 60 that is deposited on the pads 12 will be application specific and can depend on several factors including but not limited to the type of paste 60 used, a viscosity of the paste 60, and a thickness t_(s) of the stencil 50 (see FIG. 5 b).

After the printing of the paste 60 on the pads 12, at a stage 109, the stencil 50 is removed from the substrate 21. In FIGS. 7 a and 7 b, after the removing of the stencil 50, the paste 60 remains on the second portion 2 p of the pad 12. In FIG. 7 a, if the edges 31 e of the apertures 31 were aligned a with the rim 13 r as was described above, then a portion of the paste 60 abuts with a portion of the rim 13 r of the hole 13.

In FIG. 7 b, at a stage 111, the paste 60 is reflowed. The process of heating a substrate, such as a PCB or a PCA, for example, to reflow a lead-free solder paste is well understood in the electronics art. Accordingly, the reflowing can be accomplished by heating H the paste 60 and/or the substrate 21. During the reflowing, a flux 61 (see dashed arrows) in the paste 60 drains through the hole 13 and a lead-free solder 62 (solder 62 hereinafter) in the paste 60 wets only a portion of a surface area of the pad 12 and remains on the pad 12. Unlike prior lead-free solder pasting processes where a pad of a via is pasted 1:1 or an entirety of the pad is over pasted (i.e. >1:1) by a lead-free solder paste, the reduced amount of the paste 60 results in a reduced amount of the solder 62 and a reduced amount of the flux 61. Therefore, during the reflowing at the stage 111, very little or none of the solder 62 that wets the pad 12 flows into the hole 13. Consequently, the hole 13 is not filled up (i.e. is not plugged up) by the solder 62. Additionally, the reduced amount of the paste 60 also reduces the amount of the flux 61 so that a volume of the flux 61 that flows into the hole 13 during the reflowing at the stage 111 is not sufficient to pool in the hole 13 or around the pad 12 possibly flooding an area that surrounds the edge 12 e of the pad 12.

On the other hand, in prior lead-free solder pasting processes, the over pasting deposited too much of the paste on the pad and the resulting volume of the paste resulted in flux pooling around the edge of the pad where the flux accumulated and could potentially interfere with probing of the pad. In contrast, even if a small volume of the solder 62 flows into the hole 13 during the reflowing, that volume of solder 62 will not be sufficient to fill up the hole 13. As a result, the flux 61 that flows into the hole 13 does not have a foundation of solder 62 upon which to pool and the flux 61 does not reside at or near the rim 13 r, the flux 61 does not pool around the edge 12 e of the pad 12, and the hole 13 is not obstructed by the solder 62 or the flux 61 and can be probed during an in-circuit-test (ICT hereinafter). For example, during ICT, a tip of a probe can enter the hole 13 because the hole 13 is not plugged with solder 62 or flux 61.

In FIGS. 7 c and 7 d, after the reflowing at the stage 111, the solder 62 wets the pad 12 (i.e. covers and adheres to the pad 12). During the reflowing, depending on how close to the rim 13 r the paste 60 was applied to the pad 12, as the solder 62 wets the pad 12 some of the solder 62 may abut with and partially encircle the rim 13 r as depicted in the top plan view of FIG. 7 d. Moreover, a remainder of the solder 62 covers a portion of a surface area of the pad 12. That surface area can include some or all of the second portion 2 p and some of the first portion 1 p. The abutting and encircling of a portion of the rim 13 r with the solder 62 is desirable because it positions the solder 62 as close to the hole 13 as is possible so that a probe aligned with the hole 13 can make contact with the solder 62 during probing as will be described below. Depending on an amount of the paste 60 that is printed on the pad 12, a composition of the paste 60, the pattern 30, and a position of the paste 60 on the pad 12, the solder 62 may extend all the way to the edge 12 e of the pad 12 after the reflowing. Additionally, a surface coating including but not limited to an organic solderability preservative (OSP) may be exposed on the pad 12. The OSP is applied to the pad 12 during the board manufacturing process.

In FIG. 7 d, after the reflowing at the stage 111, the reflowed solder 62 is substantially symmetrically positioned around the hole 13 and forms two separate and substantially mirror image sections of solder 62 on the pad 12. The symmetry about the hole 13 and a shape of the solder 62 on the pad 12 can define a butterfly like pattern. The shape is called a butterfly pattern because the solder 62 is symmetrically positioned on opposite sides of the hole 13 and the separate sections of the solder 62 have an appearance like those of the wings of a butterfly. The final symmetry of the solder 62 with respect to the hole 13 is due in part to a position of the apertures 31 with respect to the shield 33. Preferably, in FIG. 5 a, the apertures 31 are symmetrically positioned on opposite sides of the shield 33 so that the paste 60 is substantially symmetrically positioned on opposite sides of the hole 13 after the applying of the paste 60 at the stage 107. However, as will be described below, the pattern 30 can include more than two apertures 31 so that the paste 60 can be applied to the pad 12 in more than two sections that are positioned around the hole 13 and those sections can be substantially symmetrically positioned around the hole 13. When more than two sections of the paste 60 are printed on the pad 12, there will be more than two of the first portions 1 p that are not covered by the paste 60.

Referring again to FIG. 2, after the reflowing at the stage 111, it may be desirable to probe the via 10. The probing can be part of an ICT of the substrate 21, where the substrate 21 is an unit-under-test (UUT). Conversely, it may be desirable to probe the via 10 at a later time. Therefore, at a stage 113 a decision may be made to probe the via 10 after the reflowing at the stage 111 as depicted by the YES branch or at a later time as depicted by the NO branch. If the NO branch is selected, then the method 100 can terminate at a stage 115. On the other hand, if the YES branch is selected, then the method 100 can continue at a stage 117. Prior to describing the stages 117 through 119 of FIG. 2, a probe for probing the via 10 will be described below.

Turning to FIGS. 8 a through 8 c, an example of a probe for probing the via 10 with the aforementioned butterfly pattern of the solder 62 is depicted. In FIG. 8 a, a blade probe 70 includes a shaft 75 and a blade 71 connected with the shaft 75. The blade 71 includes a tip 74, a first edge 72, and a second edge 73. The first and second edges (72, 73) are colinear with each other as depicted by a probe axis A_(P) passing through the vertices of the first and second edges (72, 73) as depicted in FIG. 8 c. Furthermore, the first and second edges (72, 73) converge at the tip 74 as depicted in FIG. 8 b The shaft 75 may optionally taper in a direction towards the tip 74 as depicted in FIG. 8 a. The blade probe 70 can be made from an electrically conductive material, such as copper (Cu), beryllium copper (BeCu), steel, stainless steel, gold (Au) plated stainless steel, aluminum (Al), or titanium (Ti), for example.

Because the lead-free solder 62 can be positioned on opposite sides of the hole 13, the pad 12 will not be completely covered by the solder 62 in a region where the first portion 1 p was masked by the shield 33. Accordingly, after the reflowing at the stage 111, some of the first portion 1 p of the pad 12 is not covered by the solder 62. In FIG. 9 a, the substantially symmetrical position of the solder 62 on opposite sides of the hole 13 defines an axis A_(V) that passes through the region of the pad 12 that is not covered by the solder 62. When the blade probe 70 probes the via 10, it is desirable for the first and second edges (72, 73) of the blade 71 to have a preferred orientation relative to the solder 62 so that a portion of the first and second edges (72, 73) makes a contact C with the solder 62 (see dashed ovals for C in FIG. 9 a). The preferred orientation is an angle Δ measured between the axis A_(V) and the probe axis A_(P). Preferably, the probe axis A_(P) is substantially orthogonal to the axis A_(V) so that the angle Δ is as close to a right angle (e.g. 90 degrees) as is possible.

The wetting of the solder 62 along a portion of the rim 13 r during the reflowing can result in a portion of the solder 62 abutting with the rim 13 r. Particularly, when the paste 60 abuts with the rim 13 r as was described above. Consequently, when the blade 71 is urged into contact with the solder 62, the contact C between the first and second edges (72, 73) and the solder 62 is made at or near the rim 13 r. In FIG. 9 b, the contact C is achieved even when there is a slight misalignment of the probe axis A_(P) with the axis A_(V) as denoted by an angle Δ₁. As one example, the angle Δ₁ can be in a range of about ±15 degrees of the preferred orientation of 90 degrees in FIG. 9 a.

In FIG. 9 c, a portion of the first and second edges (72, 73) of the blade 71 are depicted in contact C with the lead-free solder 62 during a probing of the via 10. Preferably, the tip 74 is substantially aligned with an axis A_(H) that is symmetrically centered about the hole 13 so that both the first and second edges (72, 73) contact C the lead-free solder 62 and so that the tip 74 is positioned in the hole 13. If the tip 74 is not aligned with the axis A_(H), then only one of the edges (72, 73) may contact the lead-free solder 62. It is preferable for both of the edges (72, 73) to contact the lead-free solder 62 to minimize a contact resistance between the blade probe 70 and the via 10 and to ensure reliable and repeatable probing of the via 10 during ICT.

The blade probe 70 can shaped to be received and retained in a barrel as is well understood in the electronics art. Accordingly, in FIG. 10 a, the shaft 75 can include a plunger body 75 r that includes a dimension d_(R) that is less than the dimension d_(S) of the shaft 75. If the shaft 75 is circular in cross-section, then the dimension d_(R) can be a reduced diameter section of the shaft 75. The shaft 75 also includes a plunger tail 75 p that is connected with the plunger body 75 r. The plunger tail 75 p can include a portion 75 f that is adapted to engage a spring as will be described below.

In FIG. 10 b, a barrel 76 includes a cavity 78 adapted to receive the shaft 75 and a spring 79 positioned in the cavity 78 and in contact with the plunger tail 75 p. The barrel 76 also includes a structure 74 that retains the shaft 75 in the cavity 78 with the spring 79 compressed and in contact with the plunger tail 75 p. There are several means for implementing the structure 74. For example, the shaft 75 can be inserted into the cavity 78 to compress the spring 79 and the barrel 76 can be intentionally deformed (i.e. crimped) so that the structure 74 reduces a dimension dB of the barrel 76 in the region proximate the plunger body 75 r so that the plunger tail 75 p is in contact with and is captured by the structure 74 and the shaft 75 is retained in the barrel 76 with the spring 79 in compression and in contact with the plunger tail 75 p. The portion 75 f can be flat in order to provide a planar surface for the spring 79 to engage with. The dimension d_(B) is selected so that the dimension d_(S) of the shaft 75 will fit into the cavity 78 without binding and the shaft 75 can move up and down in the cavity 78 when the blade 71 is urged into contact with the via 10 to be probed.

In FIG. 10 c, a receptacle 90 includes a cavity 92 adapted to receive the barrel 76. The receptacle 90 can include a structure 94 that retains the barrel 76 in the cavity 92. As one example, the structure 94 can be a dimple that extends into the cavity 92 and provides a friction fit between the barrel 76 and the receptacle 90 so that the barrel 76 is retained in the cavity 92 by the friction fit, but can be removed by applying a force sufficient to pull the barrel 72 out of the receptacle 90. The barrel 76 can be rotated in the receptacle 90 so that the probe axis A_(P) has the preferred orientation with respect to the axis A_(V) and the friction fit prevents the barrel 76 from rotating out of the preferred orientation. The receptacle 90 is adapted to be connected with a test fixture (not shown). The test fixture can be like the kind used for ICT of PCB's and PCA's. A structure 98 on the receptacle 90 can be used to retain the receptacle 90 in a bore of the test fixture that is adapted to receive the receptacle 90. For example, the structure 98 can provide a friction fit between the bore and the receptacle 90. Moreover, the friction fit can be used to position the probe axis A_(P) in the aforementioned preferred orientation. A section 96 of the receptacle 90 can be used to facilitate a connection of a wire (not shown) to the receptacle 90. The connection of the wire to the section 96 can be accomplished by crimping, wire wrapping, or soldering, for example. The barrel 76 and the receptacle 90 can be made from the same electrically conductive materials as the blade probe 70.

FIGS. 10 d through log, depict examples of how the preferred orientation Δ can be obtained. In FIG. 10 d, the shaft 75 can include a key 75 k and the barrel 76 can include a slot 76 s that complements a shape of the key 75 k. In FIG. 10 e, when the shaft 75 is inserted i into the barrel 76 with the key 75 k aligned with the slot 76 s, the probe axis A_(P) will have a fixed orientation relative to the barrel 76. Preferably, the key 75 k is symmetrically positioned on the shaft 75 so that the shaft 75 moves in the barrel 76 without binding in the cavity 78 (see cross-sectional view in FIG. 10 f).

Similarly, the barrel 76 can include a key 76 k and the receptacle 90 can include a slot 90 s that complements a shape of the key 76 k. When the barrel 76 is inserted into the cavity 92 with the key 76 k aligned with the slot 90 s, the probe axis A_(P) will have a fixed orientation relative to the receptacle 90 (see FIG. 10 g). Moreover, in FIG. 11 a, if the receptacle 90 is mounted to a test fixture 80 in a proper orientation, then the probe axis A_(P) will have the preferred orientation Δ with respect to the axis A_(V). For example, the receptacle 90 can be inserted into a bore 80 a in the test fixture 80 with the structure 98 (see FIG. 10 c) providing a friction fit between the bore 80 a and the receptacle 90. The receptacle 90 can then be rotated in the bore 80 a to obtain the preferred orientation Δ of the probe axis A_(P) relative to the axis A_(V). In FIG. 11 b, a set of pins 82 on the test fixture 80 can be inserted into apertures 22 on the substrate 21 to align A the test fixture 80 with the substrate 21 in preparation for ICT and to align the blade probe 70 with the via 10 to be probed with the probe axis A_(P) in the preferred orientation Δ.

Reference is now made to FIG. 11 b, where the test fixture 80 includes the blade probe 70 connected with the test fixture 80 in the preferred orientation Δ. Referring back to FIG. 2, at a stage 117, the test fixture 80 and the substrate 21 are aligned A with each other. The test fixture 80 can include alignment pins 82 that may be used in conjunction with tooling apertures 22 on the substrate 21 to align A the test fixture 80 and the substrate 21 with each other. For example, the tooling apertures 22 can be drilled into the substrate 21 and include a diameter that complements a diameter of the alignment pins 82. The aligning A and the preferred orientation of the blade probe 70 results in the blade probe 70 being positioned to make contact C with the solder 62 on the pads 12 of the via 10.

At a stage 119, the via 10 on the substrate 21 is probed by urging U the blade probe 70 into contact with the lead-free solder 62 on the pad 12 of the via 10. The alignment between the test fixture 80 and the substrate 21 should be maintained during the probing at the stage 119 to ensure that the edges (72, 73) remain in contact with the solder 62. After the probing, the method can terminate at a stage 121.

The probing of the vias 10 that have been treated with the solder 62 need not occur as part of the method 100. For example, after vias 10 on the substrate 21 have been treated according to the method 100, the substrate 21 can be transported to a different location and the probing can take place at a later time. To that end, FIG. 3, depicts a method 200 of probing a via 10 that has been previously treated with the solder 62 as part of a separate fabrication process (i.e. only the stages 103 through 115 of FIG. 2). It may be necessary to connect the blade probe 70 with the test fixture 80 in the preferred orientation prior to the aligning of the test fixture 80 and the substrate 21 with each other. Therefore, at a stage 201 a decision to connect the blade probe 70 with the test fixture 80 in the preferred orientation is made. If the YES branch is selected, then the blade probe 70 is connected with the test fixture 80 in the preferred orientation as was described above. If the NO branch is selected, then the blade probe 70 has already been connected with the test fixture 80 in the preferred orientation.

In either case, at a stage 205, the test fixture 80 and the substrate 21 are aligned A with each other as was described above. At a stage 207, the via 10 on the substrate 21 is probed by urging U the blade probe 70 into contact with the lead-free solder 62 on the pad 12 of the via 10. The alignment between the test fixture 80 and the substrate 21 should be maintained during the probing at the stage 207 to ensure that the edges (72, 73) remain in contact with the solder 62. After the probing, the method can terminate at a stage 209.

Turning now to FIG. 12, the stencil 50 can include patterns 30 having different shapes for the apertures 31 and the shields 33. For example, the pattern 30 on a left side of the stencil 50 includes apertures 31 and a shield 33 that have a rectangular shape; whereas, the pattern 30 on a right side of the stencil 50 includes an arcuate shape for the apertures 31 and a rectangular shape for the shield 33. The arcuate shape can be a portion of a circle having a radius of R_(C), a portion of an ellipse, or a portion of an oval, for example.

In FIGS. 13 a through 13 d, four vias 10 are depicted with their respective pads 12 treated with a rectangular pattern of the paste 60 after the stage 109 but before the stage 111. In FIGS. 13 a and 13 c, the paste 60 is printed on the pads 12 in amount that is an excess pasting of the pads 12 because the paste 60 extends outside of a boundary of the pads 12 (e.g. then edge 12 e) but does not cover an entirety of the pad 12 as depicted by the dashed outline showing a portion of the pad 12 that is under the paste 60. In an excess pasting, a portion of the paste 60 that is outside the edge 12 e may be printed on the surface 21 t of the substrate 21. In FIG. 13 b, the paste 60 is printed on the pad 12 in an amount that is a nominal pasting because for the rectangular shape, the paste 60 extends to the boundaries of the pad 12 without exceeding those boundaries. In contrast, in FIG. 13 d, the paste 60 is printed on the pad 12 in an amount that is an under pasting because the paste 60 is positioned entirely within the boundaries of the pad 12 and is inset from those boundaries. Moreover, although it may be desirable in some applications for the paste 60 to abut with the rim 13 r, there may be other application where the abutting is not desirable. Accordingly, in FIG. 13 d, the paste 60 doesn't abut with the rim 13 r.

In FIGS. 14 a through 14 d, the pads 12 are treated with an arcuate pattern of the paste 60. Moreover, FIGS. 14 a and 14 b depict an excess pasting of the pads 12, FIG. 14 c depicts a nominal pasting of the pad 12, and FIG. 14 d depicts an under pasting of the pad 12.

In FIGS. 15 a and 15 b, the pads 12 are pasted with an angular shape of the paste 60 with the paste 60 forming a triangle on the pad 12 of FIG. 15 a and a chevron pattern on the pad 12 of FIG. 15 b. Moreover, both pads 12 are under pasted by the paste 60. A stencil 50 with a pattern 30 for forming the paste 60 on the pad 12 of FIG. 15 b is depicted in FIG. 15 c. Both the apertures 31 and the shield 33 have an angular shape.

In FIGS. 16 a and 16 b, the pads 12 are pasted with a complex shape of the paste 60. A complex shape includes but is not limited to any combination of rectangular, arcuate, linear, non-linear, and angular shapes. FIG. 16 c depicts a stencil 50 with a pattern 30 for forming the paste 60 on the pad 12 of FIG. 16 b. Both the apertures 31 and the shield 33 have a complex shape. FIG. 16 a also depicts another example where the paste 60 is not abutted with the rim 13 r.

Although the previous discussion depicted examples where two separate sections of the solder 62 are positioned around the hole 13 and in contact with the pad 12, the present invention is not limited to the two separate sections of the solder 62. In FIG. 17 a, a stencil 50 includes a pattern 30 with three apertures 31 and a shield 33. In FIG. 17 b, after the applying at the stage 107, the pad 12 includes paste 60 on three separate portions disposed on the pad 12 and positioned around the hole 13. In FIG. 17 c, after the reflowing at the stage 111, three separate sections of solder 62 are disposed on a portion of the pad 12 and are positioned around the hole 13. The solder 62 may or may not abut with the rim 13 r. In FIG. 17 d, a plunger 151 (depicted as superimposed over the pad 12) can include a chisel-type plunger tip with three edges 151 (see dashed lines) that make a contact C with the solder 62 when the plunger 150 probes the via 10. Preferably, a tip 153 where the three edges 151 converge, is aligned with the axis A_(H) of the hole 13 of the via 10.

Referring back to FIG. 7 d, after the reflowing at the stage 111, the solder 62 wets the pad 12 and preferably a portion of the solder 62 is abutted with the rim 13 r. Preferably, the pattern 30 on the stencil 50 is selected so that a minimal amount of the paste 60 sufficient to wet the pad 12 and to form the two separate sections of the solder 62 is printed on the pad 12. The minimal amount of the paste 60 is desirable because a volume of the flux 61 that flows into the hole 13 during the reflowing is reduced and a volume of the solder 62 sufficient to wet the pad 12 is also reduced. Therefore, in regard to the aforementioned pasting patterns describe above in reference to FIGS. 13 a through 16 c, an order of preference for printing the minimal amount of the paste 60 on the pad 12 is the under pasting patterns followed by the nominal pasting patterns.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed and illustrated, the invention is not limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated. The invention is only limited by the claims. 

1. A method of treating a via connected with a substrate, comprising: aligning a stencil with the substrate, the stencil including a pattern with a plurality of apertures and a shield; connecting the stencil with the substrate so that the shield covers a hole and a first portion of a pad of the via, and the apertures are positioned over a second portion of the pad; applying a lead-free solder paste to the stencil to print the paste on the second portion only, the shield preventing the paste from entering the hole; removing the stencil; and reflowing the paste so that a flux drains through the hole and separate sections of a lead-free solder are positioned around the hole and wet only a portion of a surface area of the pad.
 2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein during the applying, an edge of the aperture is aligned with a rim of the hole of the via.
 3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein after the applying, a portion of the lead-free solder paste abuts with a rim of the hole of the via.
 4. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein after the reflowing, the lead-free solder comprises two separate sections of the lead-free solder that are positioned around the hole.
 5. The method as set forth in claim 4, wherein the lead-free solder is substantially symmetrically positioned on opposite sides of the hole.
 6. The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the lead-free solder on the pad forms a butterfly pattern.
 7. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pad includes a surface coating of an organic solderability preservative.
 8. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the applying comprises a pasting of the pad on a side of the via that the via will be probed from.
 9. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the apertures are symmetrically positioned on opposite sides of the shield.
 10. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the apertures include a shape selected from the group consisting of a rectangular shape, an arcuate shape, an angular shape, and a complex shape.
 11. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the shield includes a shape selected from the group consisting of a rectangular shape, an arcuate shape, an angular shape, and a complex shape.
 12. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the paste is printed on the second portion in an amount selected from the group consisting of an excess pasting, a nominal pasting, and an under pasting.
 13. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein after the reflowing, the lead-free solder has a position on the pad selected from the group consisting of a position that abuts with a portion of a rim of the hole, a position that is inset from the rim of the hole, a position that extends to an edge of the pad, and a position that is inset from the edge of the pad.
 14. A via treated with a lead-free solder according to the method as set forth in claim
 1. 15. The method as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising after the reflowing: aligning a test fixture with the substrate, the test fixture including a blade probe connected with the test fixture in a preferred orientation, the blade probe including a shaft and a blade connected with the shaft, the blade including a tip, a first edge, a second edge, the first and second edges are colinear with each other, and the preferred orientation and the aligning are operative to position the first and second edges to make a contact with a portion of the lead-free solder; and probing the via by urging the blade probe into contact with the lead-free solder.
 16. The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the preferred orientation of the blade probe and the aligning of the test fixture with the substrate operatively positions the first edge and the second edge in a substantially orthogonal orientation with an axis of the lead-free solder.
 17. The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein during the probing, the tip and a portion of the first and second edges are positioned in the hole of the via.
 18. The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the probing comprises an in-circuit-test process.
 19. A method of probing a via connected with a substrate and including separate sections of a lead-free solder that is connected with a portion of a pad of the via and is positioned around a hole of the via, comprising: aligning a test fixture with the substrate, the test fixture including a blade probe connected with the test fixture in a preferred orientation, the blade probe including a shaft and a blade connected with the shaft, the blade including a tip, a first edge, a second edge, the first and second edges are colinear with each other, and the preferred orientation and the aligning are operative to position the first and second edges to make a contact with a portion of the lead-free solder; and probing the via by urging the blade probe into contact with the lead-free solder.
 20. The method as set forth in claim 19, wherein the preferred orientation of the blade probe and the aligning of the test fixture with the substrate operatively positions the first edge and the second edge in a substantially orthogonal orientation with an axis of the lead-free solder on the pad.
 21. The method as set forth in claim 19 and further comprising prior to the aligning: connecting the blade probe to the test fixture in the preferred orientation.
 22. The method as set forth in claim 19, wherein during the probing, the tip and a portion of the first and second edges are positioned in the hole of the via.
 23. The method as set forth in claim 19, wherein the probing comprises an in-circuit-test process. 